New procedure helps Honiton woman overcome persistent dry eye symptoms

A HONITON woman who suffered with gritty, itchy and watery eyes for two years has found relief thanks to a new procedure.

Eleanor Clapp began experiencing a sticky wateriness in her eyes in 2024. The condition worsened, giving her a feeling of permanently having grit in her eyes. Eyedrops seemed to make things even worse, and she was reconciled to thinking it was something she would have to live with – until she went to Specsavers Honiton.

The locally owned and run store has recently introduced the Zocular Eyelid System Technology (ZEST), designed to help manage symptoms associated with dry eye disease. According to Sight Research UK, 34% of adults have been diagnosed with dry eye disease1.

Following a consultation, Eleanor was the first person to have ZEST at Specsavers Honiton by store director and optometrist Emily Bennett.

Eleanor, 47, says: ‘My eyes were watery all the time, which is the opposite of dry eyes. I wouldn’t have thought to search dry eyes online. I would’ve looked up watery eyes. So there must be many people with dry eye syndrome who don’t know they’ve got it.

‘My eyes felt gritty, crusty, itchy, like I had an eyelash or grit in them. Every morning my eyelids were stuck together and I had to pick off the crust. It wasn’t nice. When my eyes itched or were watering, I’d wipe them and that would make then so much worse.

‘My son got me some eyedrops, but one eye started getting worse, so he got me some extra-strength eyedrops, but they didn’t work. I’m so glad I had the procedure at Specsavers Honiton. Emily was really nice. She made me comfortable and explained everything to me.

‘She checked everything to do with my eyes to start with and the whole procedure took just 30 minutes. It was totally painless and when she’d done it, my eyes felt so much cleaner and clearer straightaway.

‘I’ve not needed any drops at all since, and when I wake up I don’t have to pick at my eyes. It’s been so good. I’d definitely recommend the procedure to others.’

Dry eye syndrome can vary from person to person, but common symptoms regularly include sore, irritated or itchy eyes, redness, watery eyes and blurred vision.

The condition is becoming increasingly common due to factors such as increased screen time, air-conditioning, heating and aging.

The ZEST procedure is a quick, comfortable and non-invasive procedure undertaken by a trained clinician, using a natural, okra-based gel and a specialised swab to deep-clean the eyelids and lashes.

By clearing away the biofilm, debris and mites that block vital oil glands, it delivers immediate, soothing relief, allowing people to regain comfort and focus on their daily lives.

Eleanor’s dry eye syndrome is a combination of moderate blepharitis, a mid-level inflammation of the eyelids, and evaporative dry eye, which is when tears evaporate too quickly from the surface of the eye. There is no cure for either.

Emily says: ‘I’m so pleased for Eleanor. She said she wished the procedure was available a long time ago, because she feels as though her eyes were instantly refreshed and felt immediate relief afterwards.

‘Many people assume dry eyes are simply something they must live with, but untreated dry eye can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, comfort and even vision. Symptoms can sometimes worsen over time if the underlying cause is not addressed properly.

‘Seeing an optometrist or contact lens optician is important because they can assess the health of the eye and eyelids, identify the root cause of the dry eyes problem and recommend the most appropriate procedure plan.

‘In some cases, symptoms of dry eye can also overlap with other eye conditions, so a professional assessment helps to ensure that patients receive the correct care and advice.’

Specsavers Honiton, based on the High Street, is open seven days a week. For further information, call 01404 540060.